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Chicago Bears: Jordan Mills studying up on Rams' Chris Long

By Rich CampbellChicago Tribune

Posted:
11/21/2013 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:
11/21/2013 07:14:47 AM CST

St. Louis' Chris Long (91) celebrates after the Rams held on fourth down during their game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2013 in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bears right guard Kyle Long won't see big brother Chris directly across the line of scrimmage from him on most snaps Sunday against the Rams.

That displeasure at the Edward Jones Dome will belong instead to rookie right tackle Jordan Mills.

With Chris Long on pace for this third consecutive season with double-digit sacks, Mills at least has a rare resource at his disposal in preparing to block Long.

"I'm glad to have his younger brother who knows him very well," Mills said. "Having that extra information from him, he can tell me what he does best. He has been watching him since he was a little kid."

The brothers Long are the main attraction Sunday, but Mills will have a starring role. The Bears need him to play well against a pass rush led by left end Long (61/2 sacks) and right end Robert Quinn (12). The Rams have sacked the quarterback on 10.4 percent of drop-backs, best in the NFL.

After practice Wednesday, Mills recited Kyle Long's scouting report on Chris, who's almost four years older. It obviously is in the front of his mind.

"He said he has a high motor," Mills said. "He has the ability to go speed-to-power and he can work his hands real well. What Kyle always says is: 'Do what you do best. Get your hands on him first.'"

Kyle lauds Chris' energy most. Mills, though, has seen other elements of his physical prowess on video, reasons why the Rams drafted him second overall out of Virginia in 2008.

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Chris gets off the ball quickly and will try to bend the corner if he jumps the snap count. He can turn a speed rush into a bull rush and "put you in the quarterback's lap," Mills said.

Sunday's game, however, isn't about Kyle earning bragging rights in the Long brotherhood.

For Mills, it's the latest measure of the fifth-rounder out of Louisiana Tech's promising growth.

"Jordan is such a rock," Kyle said. "As a unit we've gone in one direction, and that's getting better. Jordan's a guy who continues to show up every day -- one of the first people in the building, one of the last to leave, one of the first on the practice field.

"I have the utmost confidence in him and his continued progression toward being a great player."

Chris Long also sees Mills' talent.

"He has good athleticism and good length," he said in a teleconference Wednesday. "Kyle and him work well together."

Whether Mills can use his length to his advantage will help determine Sunday's outcome.

"Like (offensive coordinator/line coach Aaron) Kromer always says, make the first significant touch first," Mills said. "Change his path. Make him adjust to you, don't adjust to him. ... He can get really low, so make him change his pass rush, make him stumble, make him switch it up a little bit, and I should be fine."

Mills, though, has to balance initiating contact without lunging. That's something young linemen have to learn, and he believes it's one sign of his progress.

"I have learned to be more patient with my technique and let everything come to me," he said. "It's hand in hand, being patient, my first step, just trying to see what he's going to do. Then once I diagnose that try to attack him.

"But sometimes you can't be patient with these dudes. They are so far past the ball you have to jump them so quick. It's just me ... taking the right steps and attacking him with my hands or just getting my body on him."

Kyle Long believes his linemate is up to the challenge, and he'll be there to help as needed.

"I know what not to say to (Chris) ... between whistles because I've heard from his point of view of what offensive linemen can do to your psyche, and that kill switch comes on and nobody wants that to come on during the game," Kyle said with a laugh. "Jordan has a great plan."